Bills to Watch: Evers Expected to Veto Tax Cut Bill

AB-004

Increasing tax deductions

The state Assembly passed a bill by a vote of 61-33 that would increase the state income-tax maximum deduction by 20.6 percent for single people making less than $127,000 and for joint filers making less than $155,000. The Senate subsequently passed the bill by a vote of 19-13. Governor Tony Evers is expected to veto the bill. Evers supports a tax cut, but not through using a revenue surplus – the way the Republican-led bill funds it. Evers wants to fund the tax cut through a cut to an existing tax credit for manufacturers and the agriculture industry.

LRB-1152

Prohibiting lame-duck bills

This bill calls for a state constitutional amendment prohibiting changes to the powers and duties of statewide constitutional officers during the so-called lame-duck session: the period between the November election and when new officials take office in January. Lame-duck bills stripping some powers of Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul have proven to be highly controversial, and portions of the new laws were found unconstitutional by a federal judge. The bill is circulating for co-sponsorship until Feb. 18.

LRB-1471

Prescription drug costs

This bill would require drug manufacturers and health insurers to notify the state 60 days in advance if they plan to raise the cost of any prescription drug by more than 16 percent. The bill is circulating for co-sponsorship until Feb. 21.

LRB-1170

Reimbursement for special elections

Sen. Andre Jacque authored a bill that would reimburse local governments for costs incurred when a special election is called. To administer a special election, local governments, depending on their size, often incur a few thousand dollars of expenses, which are rarely in their budgets. Jacque was a participant in such an election in 2018, when then-Gov. Walker cited administrative expenses as a reason not to hold it. The bill is circulating for co-sponsorship until Feb. 20.